India pacers average 18.73 at Eden since 2012, while spinners average 32.96; What explains this gap?

With pacers averaging 18.73 at Eden Gardens compared to spinners’ 32.96, should Team India go pace-heavy in the series opener?

The nature of the Eden Gardens surface will again stimulate interest heading into Team India’s opening Test against South Africa, beginning November 14. It will be a vital clash for the Shubman Gill-led side in terms of World Test Championship (WTC) points against the reigning world champions.

The Proteas have earned one red-ball victory at this ground in three attempts. This was way back in 1996 when they recorded a 329-run win by bundling out the hosts for 137 in the fourth innings. On the next two occasions in 2004 and 2010, the Rainbow Nation faced two successive defeats in Kolkata.

Fast bowlers enjoy Eden Gardens’ swing and seam more than spinners
There is something special about the pitch curators of the iconic Eden Gardens. Late Prabir Mukherjee was the curator of the ground for nearly three decades. He dared to turn down then captain MS Dhoni’s request to prepare a turner for the Test against England in 2012.

The current veteran curator, Sujan Mukherjee, is no different. He is responsible for the renaissance of the wicket from a slow turner to a pacy and bouncy turf.

In an old interview with Cricbuzz, Sujan revealed that he changed the soil on the wicket as well as the grass. They brought the black soil from Canning and used the highly resilient strata of grass, which hold the wicket together and grows back quickly after a few days of play.

Since the beginning of 2012, India’s pacers have collected 63 wickets at an average of below 19. This is an extraordinary record in comparison to the India spinners’ record of 26 Test wickets at an average of nearly 33. And, the trend is expected to remain the same for the upcoming Test against South Africa.

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Teams’ pacers’ performance in Tests at Eden Gardens since Jan 1, 2012

Teams’ spinners’ performance in Tests at Eden Gardens since Jan 1, 2012

In terms of individual performance at the Eden Gardens, Mohammed Shami is India’s leading wicket-taker among pacers since January 2012. The Bengal fast bowler has collected 23 wickets in eight innings at an average of under 20.

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Top three Test pacers at Eden Gardens, Kolkata since Jan 1, 2012

The spinners, as highlighted previously, have struggled immensely at this ground in the last 13 years. Former India off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, has bagged 14 wickets in eight innings at a high average of 32.50 and an average strike rate of 64.50.

Top three Test spinners at Eden Gardens, Kolkata since Jan 1, 2012

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India and South Africa’s batters need to be careful of opponent’s pacers
Eden Gardens returns to host a Test match after six years since the day-night affair between India and Bangladesh. In the two Ranji Trophy 2025-26 games so far, the two surfaces have seemed more on the slower side, aiding the batters. There was little purchase for the pacers. During a recent interaction with the Telegraph, Sujan promised a good wicket for the series opener against the Proteas.

“It’s going to be a good sporting wicket with help for both batters and bowlers. There will be assistance on offer for the spinners as well, and that can happen early (in the game) as well,” the Eden Gardens curator told the reporters.

Reports have also claimed that the surface would rough up quickly, facilitating reverse swing for the pacers. Moreover, the cooler temperature in the first hour of the morning and the final hour of the evening will aid lateral movement. It is important to note that Eden Gardens gets a breeze from the nearby Hoogly river during the late afternoon. This had traditionally helped pacer to purchase help from the conditions at this iconic venue.

Old-timers will recall Roger Binny’s famous spell against Pakistan here in 1986-87, where he ran through the visitors’ batting order with figures of 6-56. On a separate occasion, Javagal Srinath took a 13-wicket haul against Pakistan at the same venue in Asian Test Championship 1999.

South Africa have two experienced pacers, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, in the squad. Both have been in excellent form with 53 and 29 Test wickets respectively since the beginning of 2024. Subsequently, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch could also make life harder for the home batters with their tight line and lengths.

Meanwhile, India could think of using three pacers for this fixture. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are most-likely to start with the new ball. They are the two leading Test wicket-takers since the start of 2024. Bumrah collected 94 wickets at an average of 17, while Siraj bagged 72 wickets at 28.81.

The question remains whether India would think of using Akash Deep in place of Kuldeep Yadav. The former picked up four wickets in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 games at this venue against Uttarakhand and Gujarat.

If the Blue Brigade is confident of their top six in the batting department, then Washington Sundar could make way for Akash Deep. But the potential decision of picking the third seamer won’t be a bad option for the series opener at Eden Gardens on September 14.

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